More sunshine for Montreal

Our rather benign weather pattern continues over southern Quebec and eastern Ontario with a large area of high pressure locked in place and in control. The result has been a period of sunshine and dry weather that may begin to establish some records. We are not talking warm records here but rather hours of sunshine and lack of precipitation for any November. In a normal November around 71.2mm of precipitation occurs, so far in 2012 we have had only 8.8mm. This amounts to just a splash in the rain gauge. The other impressive stat will be hours of sunshine. On average Montreal records only 86 hours of sunshine for the month. November is typically the cloudiest month of the entire year. While I have not tabulated the stats, I can tell you we have had a full week of sunshine with another scheduled. That right there should be enough to surpass the normal. Temperatures have been cold at night and near normal for highs. That is pretty much what you would expect at this time of year with the current setup. Air quality has been poor with lots of smog and smoke from heating trapped at the lower levels of the atmosphere.

Sunshine will prevail for the balance of this week with just a few clouds around. Temperatures will warm from 4C today to near 8C by Thursday and Friday. Big changes are in store for the area beginning as early as next weekend. For starters we will see clouds increase with the chance of rain and snow by next Saturday. It will also turn much colder to end November with the coldest air so far this season expected to arrive by the first week of December.

A surreal photo from awesome photographer Don Bowers. This is the Atlantic Ocean invading North Carolina 12 on Hatteras Island at high tide on Sunday. (Don Bowers photo from Facebook/Island Breeze)

Not much weather to speak of across North America, with just storms on both coasts. The one along the southeast coast of the US continues to send high tides and heavy surf into the North Carolina and Virginia coastlines. Local officials are fighting a loosing battle with Highway 12 that follows the Outer Banks. I have traveled this road hundreds of times, and on a normal day the Atlantic is lapping up against the road in places. Since Hurricane Sandy, they have been trying to reopen the road on Hatteras Island with no luck. The road is the only link (other than the ferry) to the mainland for Islanders.

Strong high pressure in control for Montreal

Not much to talk about this weekend as Montreal and southern Quebec as well as Ontario remain under an area of high pressure. This will result in a prolonged, and unusual for November, period of dry and seasonable weather. Temperatures under partly cloudy skies will reach 5C (41F) today. It will be cold tonight dropping to -7C (19F). Saturday will be partly cloudy again and chilly with highs around 0C (32F). The balance of the weekend into the middle of next week looks the same, sunny with high temperatures around 5C and lows around -3C. By the end of next week a cold front may bring a little rain or perhaps a snowflake by Friday otherwise not much else.

Highway 12 remains in poor shape near Mirlo Beach on Hatteras Island, North Carolina. The road was damaged from Sandy, a Nor'Easter and now northeast winds and ocean overwash caused by large high pressure to the north.

EAST COAST STORM?
That potential storm along the east coast looks like it will remain out over the Atlantic and not impact our area. However high astronomical tides along with a healthy northeast fetch of ocean water and wind (thanks to our high pressure), is bringing coastal flood issue once again to the eastern seaboard from the Carolina's north into New England. The Outer Banks cannot catch a break since Superstorm Sandy brushed the region. North Carolina Department of Transport workers have been trying in vain to reopen Highway 12 that runs the length of the Outer Banks. The highway has been inundated with water and debris on Hatteras Island. They managed to open a route for 4-wheel drive vehicles, but will likely loose that this weekend at each high tide.
Looking ahead to the end of November and into December, there are some indications that it will turn much colder than normal over the east coast and here in southern Quebec. I will follow that potential and update the blog accordingly. In the meantime enjoy the unusually bright and dry November weather and catch up on some of those outdoor jobs. Have great weekend, be safe.

A long stretch of fair weather for Quebec/Ontario/NE

A strong area of high pressure centered over the Great Lakes will  provide Montreal, southern Quebec and Ontario an extended period of fair weather. Nights will be cold under clear skies and calm winds with temperatures down around -5C. L'Ile Perrot is sitting at -6C this morning with lots of ice on the cars to scrape. Temperatures will slowly warm under sunny skies and light winds to around 4C. The same pattern will hold across the region through the weekend and into the early portion of next week. Temperatures will remain chilly at night but gradually warm to slightly above normal highs of 5 to 7C (40 to 45F) by next week.

An 80 foot Norway Spruce that survived Sandy is being removed to become the 80th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. It was cut from the home of Joseph Balku in Flanders, NJ on Tuesday. AP Photo

Rockefeller Center Tree
Having survived Superstorm Sandy on the property of Joseph Balku in Flanders, New Jersey, the Rockefeller Center Tree was cut down yesterday to be transported to New York City. The tree was donated long before Sandy tore through the region toppling thousands of trees but leaving this one protected. The 80 foot Norway Spruce began the journey to NYC yesterday and will be put up and strung with thousands of lights over the next week or so. The tree will be ready for the 80th Annual lighting at Rockefeller Center, scheduled for November 28. When Balku bought the property in 1973, the tree was 22 feet tall. He said he is proud to donate the tree and be a part of history.

USA Thanksgiving Storm
We have a long stretch of great weather ahead of us with high pressure in place. Looking ahead, the European model is starting to hint of a Nor'Easter developing next week and affecting New England and southern Quebec in time for Thanksgiving Day next Thursday. Stay tuned for more on this as it could involve snow and/or rain and strong winds for some of us.

Record highs - and now back to reality

The incredible temperature rise from St Anicet, Quebec near Cornwall yesterday. They reached a high of 24.5C (76F) obliterating the old record of 12.7C set in 2010. They are 4C (39F) at 8am.

That was one potent cold front the swept the province of Ontario and Quebec last night sending temperatures from record highs back to the freezing point in a matter of hours. Montreal started the day Monday at -1C (30F) before soaring to a record high of 18.8C by noon. That smashed the previous record of 15.5 set in 1982. Others cities that broke their 1982 records were Kemptville and Ottawa both reaching 21.1C (70F). Ottawa has flurries and 1C (33F) this morning, how is that for a temperature drop! Other records included 70F at Burlington, Vermont. They also smashed there overnight low record at 58F beating 49F set way back in 1909. Massena/Cornwall reached 75F (24C) beating the record set of 70 set in 1982. Mount Mansfield, Vermont recorded a wind gust to hurricane force of 75mph in advance of the cold front at 11:25pm.

The front roared through Montreal at 1am this morning with a wind gust to 72km/h at Trudeau Airport. The temperature fell from 15C at midnight, just shy of another record high for today, all the way down to 5C this morning. There were even a few flurries in the air on L'Ile Perrot as I was driving to work. We are in for a blustery and cold day with temperatures dropping to around 2 or 3C.

The good news is the balance of the week will be sunny and dry with cool temperatures. Lows will be below freezing at -2 to -5C with highs of 1C to 4C. This is close to normal for November 13.

Record warmth today

Over a dozen record highs were established in Ontario on Sunday including 18.4C (66F) in Toronto breaking the previous record of 17.2 dating all the way back to 1938. As has been the case all year long, Montreal has a shot at yet another record high today. The forecast high for the city is 16C (60F), with the record for today's date being 15.5C set in 1982. It is a frosty start to the morning as we sit at 0C here on L'Ile Perrot. Believe it or not it is 15C already in Toronto, nearly 60F on November 12. That will end quickly this morning as a sharp cold front moves across Ontario. Winds will increase out of the southwest up to 50km/h and back to the northwest behind the front. Cold air is pouring into Ontario with rain changing to flurries behind the front. Temperatures will fall to 7C in Toronto by this afternoon.

How cold is it? Well Regina has -25C this morning, that is how cold. The cold front will move into Quebec tonight with a gusty rain shower or two and perhaps a snowflake by morning. Tuesday will be blustery and colder with highs of only 4C (39F). The balance of the week will be fair and seasonable with cold overnight lows around -4C and highs around 4C right into the weekend as strong high pressure dominates our weather. We could use some moisture, our very dry year continues with only 5.6mm of precipitation recorded at Trudeau Airport so far this month.

Lest We Forget

11.11.11

Please take time to pay tribute to those who have served our country so bravely over the years. My dad instilled in me at an early age the importance of wearing a poppy. He told me to show respect in some way to all those who have paid the supreme sacrifice to give us this great, free and safe country we call home. Without their efforts this would be a far different Canada today than it is. So please at 11am this Sunday, give a moment of silence to them. I will be heading out to the ceremony in Pointe Claire which starts at 10:45am. There are others ceremonies scattered around the city and province, so find one if you can.

It will be damp and chilly in Montreal for the ceremonies as a warm front tries to lift north of the St Lawrence Valley. The front has produced a cold light rain in Montreal with pockets of freezing rain north and east of the city and across the Ottawa Valley into central Ontario. There was even a line of thunderstorms along the front late last night that affected portions of southern Ontario with a rare November light show. Skies will slowly clear later today in the city, setting the stage for near record warmth on Monday with highs near 16C in Montreal but up to 20C south of the city.

This front is part of the same storm that gave blizzard conditions to Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta Friday and Saturday. The snow continues today in Manitoba with around 20cm so far in Winnipeg and 30cm in Regina. Winds will very slowly ease today but frigid air is in place with. Regina currently is -12C with a wind of 48km/h and a windchill of -23C. Edmonton is -19C. There is still lots of blowing snow along the Trans Canada and travel remains dangerous there.

Saskatchewan blizzard - warmer in Montreal

Heavy snow and blowing snow made travel very dangerous in Alberta on Thursday with numerous accidents reported. This one is near Edmonton. (The Weather Network)

It is another chilly morning in Montreal with a northwest wind and temperatures as cold as -5C around the area (it is -3C here on L'Ile Perrot). There will be some clouds in southern Quebec today mixed with a few sunny breaks and temperatures warming up to around 5C. Saturday will be chilly and cloudy with a high of only 2C. A warm front will move across Quebec and Ontario late Saturday with a few scattered showers, and set the stage for a very warm couple of days with temperatures soaring to around 12C on Sunday and 16C on Monday. Enjoy that as much colder weather and some rain will arrive by next Tuesday. The rain may even end as a little light snow Tuesday night.

Above: Another odd scene from the Sandy zone, power trucks from Texas sit idle in the snow in Norwalk, Connecticut.  (Center Point Energy Photo)

A major snowstorm is occurring across the southern Prairies today with 15-30 cm (6-12 inches) forecast from Calgary east towards Winnipeg. Calgary has already reported 16cm of snow as of early this morning. The visibility has lowered as winds increase up to 60km/h, Swift Current in the last hour had steady snow and 1km visibility. The snow will continue all day making travel very dangerous across the entire region. The heaviest snow will fall south of the Trans-Canada Highway along the border with Montana and North Dakota. The snow will only taper off on Saturday. Temperatures will be cold with the snow and drop rapidly behind the storm down into the -20C range, especially in Saskatchewan. It is a cold -11C in Edmonton this morning and -12C in Calgary.

Big storms east - west, quiet in Montreal

More misery in NYC - Heavy snow forced out the plows along Queens Blvd in New York on Wednesday night.

For the second year in a row portions of the middle Atlantic and Northeast have seen there first measurable snowfall way before Montreal as well as most of southern Quebec and Ontario. A big nor'easter, called Athena by the US based The Weather Channel (TWC), has been affecting the portion of the coast devastated by Sandy  Snowfall amounts of up to 30cm (1 foot) have been reported across interior Connecticut and New York, along with 10-20cm amounts (4-8 inches) elsewhere including hard hit metro New York. Another 100,000 homes were plunged into the dark from this storm, while 1/2 million remain without power and heat from Sandy. Strong winds up to 60mph and heavy surf resulted in more evacuations along the Jersey Shore. The storm continues to produce strong winds in New England and towards Atlantic Canada this morning but they will abate later today. Streaming clouds from the southeast and cold northeast winds are about the only signs of the storm here in Montreal this morning. High pressure will dominate our area into the first half of the weekend with clearing skies later today as the storm pulls off to the east. Sunshine will prevail Friday and Saturday with warming temperatures. Highs will be around 4C today through Saturday before the mercury jumps to 12C on Sunday.

A surreal scene from the Rockaway section of metro New York City as snow streams past a grounded boat, left there by Hurricane Sandy last week. (Weather.com photos)

 Prairie Blizzard
Another potent snowstorm (Brutus, again by TWC) is taking shape in the central Rockies. This storm is forecast to move across Montana and northeast into Manitoba and northwest Ontario. Along and to the north of the path strong winds and heavy snow will produce blizzard conditions across extreme southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. A winter storm warning is in effect for those areas including Gravelbourg and Assiniboia for 15-25cm of snow. Travel will become dangerous later today and Friday in heavy snow and blowing snow. Temperatures will plummet behind the storm with the coldest air of the season moving in and sending lows into the minus 20's on the weekend. The same storm will also affect Montana and North Dakota where blizzard warnings are posted.

Cold start - warming trend for Montreal

The current Nor'Easter will impact areas of the Jersey Shore destroyed by Sandy last week. As you can see there is no dune left along large portions of the coast making them vulnerable to tidal flooding.

It is another chilly morning in southern Quebec and across eastern Ontario with temperatures around -5C on average but as cold as -10C in Sherbrooke and -7C in Kemptville, ON. Today will feature more sun than cloud and as a result temperatures should warm up a little into the 3 to 5C range (38-42F). Our first snow of the season will have to wait as that coastal storm takes a path further out in the Atlantic. The western edge of the precipitation will only make it into eastern Vermont, with about 5cm (2 inches) forecast there. Along the coast a soaking rain with a driving wind up to 50mph along with some snow just inland will be the main features with this storm. Not a big storm, but enough to make it miserable for the continuing clean up efforts from Sandy. Power is still out for up to half a million residents one week after Sandy's wrath. So it will be another dark and cold night in portions of New Jersey and metro New York.

Looking ahead the weather will improve over our regions into the first half of the weekend with dry conditions and warmer temperatures. The next threat for precipitation here in Montreal will come early next week in the form of rain. It will remain mild with temperatures swinging to above normal here in the east. With a big swing in the jet stream expected, look for arctic air to plunge into the Prairies with a big storm taking shape over the northern US Rockies. This storm will swing into Manitoba by the weekend with a swath of heavy snow, strong winds and dropping temperatures from southern Alberta and Saskatchewan into Manitoba. Travel across the southern prairies will become very dangerous over the next couple of days.

Another Montreal earthquake & no snow just yet

The two big items this morning are the 4.2 earthquake that rattled the Montreal region overnight and the removal of the words storm and snow from our forecast this week.

We had yet another earthquake in the Montreal region early this morning, the 2nd in one month and fourth since the summer. This one was centered about 6km southwest of Hawkesbury, Ontario measuring 4.2 and was felt across the metro Montreal region, but especially in the Vaudreuil/Dorion area. I felt this one as I was already wide awake. It lasted around 15 seconds starting with a low but distinct rumble at 4:06am and lasting at least 15 seconds at my location on L'Ile Perrot. There were no reports of damage or injuries, but lots of creaking from my house, not a pleasant sound at 4 in the morning.

The other news is the potential Nor'Easter that forecasters thought might bring our first snow of the season. It now appears that the low pressure will take a track well offshore, sparing inland areas of western New England, Ontario and Quebec from any inclement weather at all. It will remain clear and chilly with a northeast wind through Thursday, but no snow or rain for our area. With a track further offshore the worst of the weather sadly will affect the same area that was devastated by super storm Sandy. Strong winds and high surf will affect an area from Virginia north to New England beginning late Wednesday. Coastal flood watches as well as high wind watches have already been hoisted for the storm battered coastal areas from New Jersey to Cape Cod.

This morning is the coldest yet this season with temperatures down to -7C in Ottawa and -5C in Montreal. Much colder reading have been observed off island. There is even a little light snow or flurries in places as there was on Monday. The flurries left a white coating on the roofs and cars here on L'Ile Perrot.

First snow for Montreal?

Star 92.9 and Lowell's Moving & Delivery were collecting relief supplies for the Jersey Shore over the weekend at the University Mall in Burlington, Vermont. We offered up diapers and other essentials as did many others, and two trucks were filled. This is part of a large Vermont effort to help the areas impacted by Sandy. The state has also sent 11 troopers and their patrol cars to help with law enforcement in Ocean County, New Jersey as well as utility trucks from Green Mountain Power. (ValleyWX Photos)

It was a chilly and raw weekend as the remains of Sandy finally drifted northeast of our region and back out over the Atlantic. On the back side of the system a cold northwest wind has capped the temperatures just above freezing with windchill values well below that and the occasional sprinkle or flurrie. It is a rude reminder that we are in November, far removed from the record high of last Tuesday. Skies have cleared a little this morning with temperatures responding and well below freezing in most areas. It is -1C here on L'Ile Perrot with -3C in Ottawa. Today looks rather quiet with sun and clouds mixing, but cool highs no better than 3C (38F). It will be cold tonight with lows as cold as -5C in the metro areas and even colder off island. Tuesday will be fair and chilly, the last decent day of the week with highs only at 2C (36F).

Nor'Easter
Forecasters and computer models are showing a very active weather period about to start from Wednesday into the end of the work week. Low pressure is expected to develop at the surface off the coast of North Carolina by late Wednesday and deepen rapidly as it moves northeast. Let me make it clear, this will not be a Sandy, but a typical Nor'easter. That being said these storms pack a punch and can do damage especially to a weakened power grid and a duneless coastline. Sandy has left the middle Atlantic and New England coast exposed and susceptible to beach erosion, flooding and storm damage once again. With 2 million residents still without power and heat, there is great haste and concern this week.

The storm is expected to impact southern Quebec, eastern Ontario and New England as well. Precipitation in the form of rain and snow will develop late Wednesday and continue into Thursday. It will be quite windy out of the northeast in Montreal, likely over 60km/h. At this time 15-25mm of precipitation is forecast (up to one inch, the most southeast, and the least northwest of Montreal). As always with storms in November, timing the arrival of the precipitation means everything. We may be looking at several centimetres of wet snow or perhaps freezing rain for some of our areas overnight Wednesday. This will become more clear as we get closer to the event. I will update this blog often as well as my Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Chilly damp weekend in Montreal

The remains of Sandy in the form of an upper level low is very slowly spinning across southern Ontario towards the Quebec border tonight. The result has been a very raw day with temperatures in the mid single digits, currently 6C (43F) in Montreal, far from the record high of earlier this week. A breeze and some drizzle are adding to the miserable weather day. Light rain will continue tonight and into Friday as the low pressure area move across our province. Temperatures will be hanging around the 5 or 6C mark for highs. The weekend will be even colder down around 3 or 4C with scattered rain and perhaps even a snow shower. Next week looks no better with perhaps another storm affecting the region by Wednesday. Stay tuned for more on that with updates over the weekend on the Blog, Facebook and Twitter. Thanks for reading.

I really liked the photo above from the Standard-Freeholder in Cornwall, about Cornwall Electric sending down two employees to help with power restoration across the southern tier of New York state. Five million people remain without power tonight after Sandy ripped across the northeast. It is great to see even a smaller utility offer support to our American friends and neighbors. Hydro Quebec currently has over 150 employees in southern New Hampshire and Vermont. You can read the full story HERE.

Montreal - much cooler with showers

Above & Below: For me  these are two of the most powerful images of the strength of water and the storm surge. Above is a large ship beached on Staten Island, NY. Below the barrier island community of Seaside Heights, NJ was almost destroyed with there famous boardwalk & amusement park swallowed by ocean water.
(AP Photos)

What is left of Sandy continues to slowly spin across Lake Erie and Ontario and into southern Quebec this morning. The system will take until Saturday to completely clear the region. What this means for Montreal is cold and damp weather into the weekend. In reality this is more like November. The onshore flow in the lower St. Lawrence and Charlevoix region of Quebec has resulted in heavy rain over the last few days. Water levels are rising on some rivers with as much as 150mm falling since Tuesday. The rain will continue today with a another 30-60mm possible. Nothing like that is our region with just nuisance showers and drizzle at times. Temperatures will be fairly uniform over the next few days remaining in the 5 to 10C range for highs and lows. By next week even cooler air will settle into the area with the chance of flurries by mid-week. No major storms are on the horizon at this time.

The massive clean up and recovery effort continues in New Jersey and the middle Atlantic. Millions remain without power but it is slowly coming back on. Over 150 Hydro Quebec workers and technicians are now in southern New Hampshire helping out there, and word is they will be as long as they are needed. On that note the death toll from Sandy increased to two in Canada yesterday after a Hydro One worker in Sarnia was electrocuted. In the US the death toll has climbed to over 50 with many of those in metro New York on Staten Island. The storm surge was fierce in that region leaving the area in ruins.

 Things may be slowly returning to a more normal level inland, but the coastal area is a different story, from Long Island to Cape May the area has seen incredible damage. It will take months if not years to recover, and a large portion of the area will never be the same with hundreds of feet of real estate swallowed by the Atlantic Ocean. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the residents and those who are helping them. It is a daunting task especially with winter and Nor'Easter season approaching. I have put up a link to the Red Cross on this page as always if you can help, please do so. This has been by far the worst storm I have seen hit that portion of the US coastline in the 33 years I have been tracking hurricanes.

Sandy recovery begins - record high for Montreal

Hydro crews arrive in Vermont to help GMP restore power. (Burlington Free Press)

The remains of once powerful Hurricane Sandy are spinning across Pennsylvania this morning and will lift across Lake Ontario and into Quebec later today. There is not much left to the mighty super storm. The cost from her week long rampage has been high, with damage estimates running into the billions. Nearly 6 million people across the middle Atlantic, Northeast, New England, Great Lakes and Midwest remain in the dark the vast majority of those in New Jersey and New York. Crews are pouring into the region including 25 from Hydro Quebec that have arrived in Vermont and another team heading for southern coastal New Hampshire  Despite the help it could be over 1 week for all the power to be restored. The subway system in New York remains crippled. Some seaside New Jersey communities have catastrophic damage with homes and infrastructure gone. It will be weeks before things can return to some kind of normal. The death toll in the US stands at 33 with 1 in Canada and 67 in the Caribbean.

Complete destruction in Brigantine, New Jersey on the Atlantic Coast. (CNN)

The wrap up for the storm in Montreal is like this, with the worst of the storm heading south and west into Ontario, we fared pretty well. There were a few trees down and power at one point was out to 50,000 Hydro Quebec subscribers, but all in all we did ok. Rainfall was light with about 15-25mm here in the south, most of that falling in heavier showers on Tuesday. There remain a chance for some showers today as more energy spins into southern Quebec. Meanwhile the warm air on the east side of the storm delivered Montreal another record high on Tuesday. The high was 21.3C (70F) edging out the old high of 20.6C set in 1989. Montreal was actually warmer than many southern US cities in a bizarre flip flop of the weather this week. Colder air will move in by the weekend with a return to more normal November weather.

HALLOWEEN FORECAST

Halloween in Montreal looks variable as it has been for most of the week. Temperatures will be around 10C (50F) with a chance of some showers. Have fun and be safe.

Massive Sandy unwinds

The damage is historic in places as former hurricane Sandy unwinds across Pennsylvania this morning. The center has 65mph winds and is located about 90 miles west of Philly moving west northwest at 15mph.

Water pours into a New York subway station in Hoboken, New Jersey during the storm surge on Monday night.

 I could list for days all the weather and damage this massive storm has unleashed on the eastern portion of North America, but I will some it up in one statement. This one storm has managed to devastate coastal communities from the Outer Banks to Long Island, dump feet of snow in West Virginia, cut power to millions across the northeast and into Ontario and Quebec and flood portions of Manhattan and the New York City subway system all at the same time. The death toll in the US stands at 15 with 1 fatality reported in Toronto, (Sandy had already taken over 60 lives in the Caribbean). Flooding continues to be a problem in many parts of the middle Atlantic, along with strong winds still likely in the 60 to 90km/h range for a few more hours across New England and into the St. Lawrence Valley. The broad circulation of the storm is pumping warm air north into southern Quebec this morning.  Montreal was at 17C (63F) most of the overnight, when our normal low should be near the freezing mark. Montreal today will continue to have gusty winds along with showers and perhaps a bit of heavier rain at times as the circulation continues out of the southeast. What remains of Sandy will eventually lift into Ontario and Quebec pulling down colder air to end the week along with rain for Montreal. Highs today will be near 18C (the record is 20.5 from 1989). Temperatures will cool to end the week with a high of only 4C by Friday.

Heavy snow is falling on the cold side of Sandy in the mountains of West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. (AP Photo)

This morning power is being restored to the sporadic outages across southern Quebec. At one time nearly 50,000 were without power in Quebec, 90,000 in Ontario and currently over 6 million across the eastern US into the Great Lakes.

Massive Sandy makes landfall in New Jersey

Major wave action in Scituate, Massachusetts. (Boston Globe)

Sandy has made landfall near Atlantic City. The outer rain bands and strong winds are moving as far inland as Ontario and Quebec at this hour.

Flooding in Cape May today

Just minutes ago Hurricane Sandy, now post tropical, made landfall near Atlantic City, New Jersey. Howling winds off the Atlantic Ocean continue to pile up water along the coast with major flooding being reported and record surges. Flooding has washed away coastal infrastructure along the coast from Maine to North Carolina. New Jersey has been hard hit with numerous communities cut off tonight. Major flooding is occurring in New York City at this hour as a record surge continues with the high tide. Over 3 million are without power in 16 states and two provinces. The leading edge of heavy rain is moving into Ontario tonight with a few showers about to move into Montreal. Winds are gusting out of the northeast in Montreal up to 60km/h. A wind warning remains posted with winds expected to gust to 100km/h in the next few hours. The storm has turned deadly in Ontario with a women killed by flying debris in Toronto.

Major flooding has occurred in metro New York including Manhattan where the Hudson River has spilled its banks on both the New York and New Jersey sides. (Getty Images)

Off the coast of North Carolina this morning a tall ship, The Bounty, went down dumping the crew of 17 into the churning Atlantic. Coast Guard from Elizabeth City, North Carolina rescued 15 of them with 2 missing. The body of one has since been recovered with the second still missing. There is a growing list of damage and destruction occurring across New York and the middle Atlantic as well as New England. This storm has so many many different facets to it. I will continue to watch the weather and update it overnight as needed.

Sandy nearing Jersey Shore

Environment Canada track will take Sandy near Montreal this week.

UPDATE: At 3pm, powerful hurricane Sandy is nearing the Jersey Shore. Winds and rain as well as rising sea level and surge continue to pound the middle Atlantic. Winds are 90mph and movement is faster now, NW at 28mph. The barometric pressure is an incredible record low 940mb, the lowest for any storm this far north since the 1938 Long Island Express.

Dangerous Sandy to impact southern Quebec & Ontario

HIGH WIND WARNING: Montreal & the St Lawrence Valley as well as storm warnings for the Great Lakes and southern Ontario. Northeast Winds from 60-100km/h.

 MONTREAL: In southern Quebec and Ontario, strong winds will develop today increasing out of the northeast up to 100km/h by this evening. They will ease by Tuesday morning. Some light rain is expected overnight but the big story will be the howling wind down the St. Lawrence Valley. Prepare for the likelihood of power outages across Quebec and into Ontario. Temperatures through this event will be mild in southern Quebec but much cooler in Ontario. This morning Montreal is at 11C while Toronto is only 4C, it has been cold there all weekend. Rainfall will be light in Montreal, under 25mm (1 inch) for the entire event, but could be as much as 75mm (3 inches) in the GTA where rain has been falling all weekend.  There is even the chance for some snow across central and southern Ontario and south into the Appalachians of West Virginia and Tennessee.

The forecast track of Sandy takes here into southern Quebec this week. The main weather in Montreal will be strong northeast winds.

Hurricane Sandy is a little stronger this morning as she sits 385 miles south of New York City moving north at 15mph. Hurricane Hunters have reported a deepening storm with a central pressure of 946mb and winds over 85mph. The storm has produced tremendous coastal flooding from North Carolina to Delaware with damage reported to homes and coastal infrastructure. Sandy will begin to transition into a powerful mid-latitude storm today as she turns northwest towards the Delaware and New Jersey coastlines. Severe to record coastal flooding is expected from the Carolina's north to Long Island. Inland strong winds will spread all the way to the Great Lakes. This is a serious storm and has virtually shut down the most populated area of North America. Flights are cancelled, schools and business closed and rail has been suspended. Rainfall will add to the storm damage with 4 to 10 inches (100-250mm) forecast across the middle Atlantic. Rain will taper off rapidly north of the track.

Major coastal flooding has affected the Outer Banks of  North Carolina including here in  Ocracoke Village. I vacation here every year and wish them all well today. (Ocracoke Island Journal photo)

High winds in Montreal from hurricane Sandy

Sandy, located off the southeast coast of the US is sending clouds 1000 of miles north into southern Quebec.

The big weather story all week will be hurricane Sandy and what she becomes once moving inland over New Jersey on Monday. Today, despite being hundreds of miles off the coast of the middle Atlantic, the storm managed to increase winds and seas all day long from the Carolina's to Long Island, NY. The Outer Banks of North Carolina have been hammered with coastal flooding and widespread power outages. Highway 12 that runs along the Outer Banks has been closed at Oregon Inlet.

The remains of Sandy will be in southern Quebec by the middle of the week.

The storm will impact our weather here in Montreal with very strong winds during a 12 to 24 hour period beginning late Monday. Look for winds out of the northeast in the 60-80km/h range and gusting to 100km/h by Monday evening. In the last hour, despite being over 1000 miles from the center, winds have hit 32km/h in Montreal and 58km/h in Quebec City. High Wind Warnings are in effect for the US border counties and I expect we may see some wind warnings for our area by morning. Storm warnings are out for Lakes Ontario and Erie as well as the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Sandy continues to deepen

This morning's sat image shows the extent of cloud cover from Sandy moving north into southern Quebec. Sandy's center is just southeast of Cape Hatteras. The blocking high pressure over Atlantic Canada is pushing the cold front in Ontario the wrong way, and directing Sandy northwest into New Jersey.

The central pressure in Sandy is now 951mb, lower than the March 13, 1993 Superstorm that paralyzed the east coast from Georgia to Quebec. Montreal by the way had 47cm of snow in about 20 hours from that storm. Sandy at 8 am is located about 395 miles south of New York City moving northeast at 10mph. The storm has 75 mph winds and seems to be starting the transition from a tropical system into one that will become a much larger, deeper mid-latitude cyclone. What all this means for our local area is lots of wind and a little rain in southern Quebec and northern Vermont, northeast New York. Further west the wind will be accompanied by a steady at times heavy rain for Ontario. The main event locally should begin on Monday afternoon with the strongest winds, possibly exceeding 90km/h, occurring overnight into Tuesday. Winds of this strength are certainly capable of toppling trees and knocking out power. Over the mountains of the Townships and into the Green and Adirondack Mountains, winds gusts to hurricane force of 120km/h (74mph) are quite likely. Rainfall in Quebec and northern Vermont will be in the 25mm (1 inch) range and between 50-100mm (2-4 inches) in Ontario and New York by Tuesday.

The big news will come from the middle Atlantic coast and metro New York where Sandy is forecast to make landfall. Aside from strong winds and heavy rain a storm surge will push 4 to 8 feet of water into the bays and harbors around Long Island and New York City.